Ignition device



L. S.CR'0USAZ. IGNITION DEVICE.

APPuATloN FILED JUNE 18, 1920.

1,361,689. Patented Dec. 7, 1920.

xMLm/ I i InvenZ'or 12.15'. Kramm/z PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS S. CROUSAZ, 0F SHENANDOAH, IOWA.

IGNITION DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 7, 1920.

Application filed June 18, 1920. Serial No. 389,840.

lby a person from a distance.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved device` of this character particularly useful in producing theatrical or spectacular effects, and being further useful in ritualistic productions.

A further object of the invention lies in providing an improved device for the igniting of a number of crude oil stoves or lamps,

for instance, in an orchard to avoid the-action of freezing.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be more fully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto. v n

In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a view in elevation with parts shown in section of an improved ignition device constructed according to the present invention, and

Fig. 2 is a side View of one of the terminals.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 5 designates the ceiling of a room or stage, and 6 represents screws or other suitable fastenings by which an electric socket 7 yis secured thereto. The socket 7 is connected in the usual manner by a circuit 9 with a battery 8 or other source of electricity, there being a switch 10 interposed in the circuit to control the opening and closing of the same.

L11 accordance with the present invention. I provide a plug 11 having a screw-threaded portion 14 agreeing with the threads in the socket 7, so that the same may be removably held therein and placed in the circuit 9. The plug 11 carries a pair of depending terminals or electrodes 12 and 13 having perforations l5 near their lower ends to receive a transversely extending wire 16 of some fusible material. The ends of the wire 16 are adapted to be turned upwardly, as indicated at 17 and 18, to prevent the wire from accidental escape from the terminals.

rIhe wire 16 forms a support for a ball 19 of cotton or other suitable material, which Inay be saturated with kerosene, alcohol, or the like susceptible of being ignited when a current is made to pass-through the fusible wire.

On the Hoor beneath the socket is placed a pedestal or support 20 on which rests a bowl or container 21 for holding fuel, oil, or a combustible material adapted to give off colored spectacular light.

In use, the device is put in the condition shown in Fig. l, for instance, the pedestal 20 and container 21 may be located on the stage in full view of the audience, while the socket and ball 19 are carried upstage out of view.

At a given signal or cue the Switch 10 is closed causing a circuit from the battery 8 to pass through the terminals 12 and 18 and through the fusible wire 16. The fusing point of the wire is such with reference to the voltage of the battery 8 that the wire will melt when the current is passed therethrough, and will cause the ignition of the ball 19.

The ignited ball will, therefore, be released and will fall in the manner shown at 22 in Fig. 1 giving the effect of a blazing sun. The ball will fall into the container 21 and will ignite the oil or other combustible material therein which will produce the desired effect when ignited.

The invention is also useful in orchards where a number of containers 21 may be placed directly on the ground, and a number of the sockets and balls may be suspended, one above each container. The containers will hold fuel, oil, or some heat-yielding substance. The various balls may be arranged to receive current from a single battery and to be controlled from a single switch which, when closed, will cause the release of all of the balls, and the consequent ignition of all of the material in the containers.

If desired, the switch controlling all of these balls may be so arranged that it will be operated by a thermostat. In this way the falling of the temperature to a freezing point would cause the thermostat to close the switch 10, and thus ignite the fuel. automatically.

l do not wish to be restricted to the size, form, and proportions of the various parts, and obviously changes could be made in the construction herein described without departing from the spirit of the invention, it being only necessary that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. An electrical ignition device comprising a pair of terminals, means for including said terminals in an electric circuit, a fusible element bridging said terminals, and an ignitible substance carried by said element and adapted to be ignited thereby.

2. An ignition device of the character described comprising a source of electric current, terminals in said circuit, means for controlling the flow of current to said terminals, fusible means connected between said terminals and completing the circuit therethrough, said fusible means adapted to be ignited when the circuit is passed therethrough, and combustible means supported by said fusible means when the last mentioned means is fused, said combustible` means adapted to be ignited by said fusible means when current is passed therethrough.

3. An improved electrical ignition device comprising a socket, a source of current in connection with the socket, a switch interposed between the socket and said source, a plug fitted in the socket, terminals for said plug, fusible means connected between said terminals, and combustible means carried by said fusible means.

4:. An ignition device of the character described comprising a socket, a plug fitted in the socket, terminals for the plug, a fusible wire connected between said terminals. a fabric ball supported by said wire and saturated with a combustible fluid, and means for supplying current. to said terminals and fusible wire.

5. An ignition device comprising a container for combustiblematerial, and means suspended above said container and acted on by electric current to ignite and become released whereby it will fall into said container.

(3. An ignition device comprising a container for a combustible material, a ball suspended above said container and saturated with a combustible fluid, fusible means carrying said ball and adapted to ignite the same, and electrical means for passing a current through said fusible means whereby the ball may be released and fall into the container.

T. An ignition device comprising a pedestal, a container on the pedestal for holding combustible material, a cotton ball above the pedestal saturated with combustible fluid, a fusible wire supporting said ball, electrodes carrying said wire, a plug supporting said electrodes, and means connecting the plug in a controllable electric circuit.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LOUIS S. CROUSAZ.

Witnesses ARTHUR H. STURGns, Hman A. STURGEs. 

